My first qrp radio was a Ten Tec PM-1 in 1971, and I have owned many since then. But today, I have an Elecraft K2 and it is by far the best qrp radio, with the best receiver of ANY radio, qrp or qro, that I have ever owned. I have had it for 7 years. But If I could buy anything available today, I would probably opt for a new KX3. You can't work them if you can't hear them and the Elecraft radios have the top receivers available today in qrp radios.

I had a KX3 but it is down the road. It was a great HF radio but my QRP radio is also my eccom radio since I live in a hurricane zone. I went back to the FT-817nd, just can not beat it for versatility. I have heard use the KX3 and take a HT for vhf/uhf. That is fine if you want to/ have time to charge a bunch of different batteries with a hurricane on its way. Much easier to grab the camera bag with 817, antennas, coax, 7ah batteries all in one bag.

While I own and enjoy using a K2, SWL DSW-40, DSW-20, Red Hot 20, and an S&S ARK 30, the radio I would grab if the house were on fire and I only had time for one is the FT-817ND. It's mix of capabilities hits a sweet spot for me, I can't really explain it otherwise.

I am really pleased with my KX3. It sure isn't my only QRP rig and I also have several 100 watt transceivers. The KX3 is the most fun to use of all my rigs. If forced to have one do-it-all station and I'd keep the KX3 and add an amplifier - and get rid of all my other rigs. I won't sing the virtues of the KX3 - others have done that so I won't repeat it. But I will say that, looking beyond the specs of the radio, the company itself provides customer service and tech support on a level that I haven't seen for any product ... ham or consumer.

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